Ross fired for ‘lack of confidence’

Published 10:08 am, Monday, August 17, 2015

Michael Ross hears public comments in support of keeping him as City Manager at the West University City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 10. Ross was dismissed as City Manager.

Michael Ross hears public comments in support of keeping him as City Manager at the West University City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 10. Ross was dismissed as City Manager.

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Mayor Susan Sample at the West University City Council Meeting on Monday, Aug. 11. Sample voted "no" to terminating Michael Ross as City Manager.

Mayor Susan Sample at the West University City Council Meeting on Monday, Aug. 11. Sample voted "no" to terminating Michael Ross as City Manager.

Ross fired for ‘lack of confidence’

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Nearly 70 residents crowded the West University City Council Chambers Monday night for the finale in the dismissal of the now former West University City Manager Michael Ross.

After hearing public comments, mostly in support of Ross, the council finally voted 3 to 2 to dismiss the city manager who has served the city for 14 years, citing a “lack of confidence.” Council Members Burt Ballanfant, Brennan Reilly, and Bob Kelly voted for the dismissal and Mayor Susan Sample and Council Member Mardi Turner voted against.

“The city manager under our charter serves at the discretion and pleasure of the city council, and the way our city government works we have to have really good and trusting relationship between the council and the manager. We have said over again that there are those of us up here that don’t have confidence in the city manager,” said Councilman Bob Kelly, who made the motion to dismiss Ross.

Ross, who has declined to comment for the past two months as the council has worked to negotiate the terms for his dismissal, finally broke his silence and thanked the community for their support. He also asked that council honor the terms of his contract, before grabbing his folder and retiring to the cloak room as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

“The only thing I would ask is that this council, as most councils do when they part with their city manager, is honor the agreement that is in place. I appreciate the support from the public, it means a great deal and it’s been very humbling, but there does come a time when I believe it’s time to move on and I think it’s that time. Fourteen years is a long time, and I ask the council to honor the contract,” Ross said as he broke his silence.

The council meeting was the first since Ross officially withdrew his name as a one of three finalists for the position of city manager with the city of Missouri City. The West University Council had tabled his dismissal until word on whether Ross would accept the position with Missouri City or was rejected as a candidate.

The city stands to pay Ross $158,000 in severance pay on top of his $220,000 salary in the event that they dismissed him. Had Ross resigned to accept another position, the city would not have been required to pay him severance.

Councilman Kelly contended that a previous council had given Ross a perpetual contract which could not be renegotiated after a certain number of years.

“We can’t let that contract override the city charter. If the city manager serves at the pleasure of the council and the council wants to replace them, then you can’t let a contract stand in the way,” Kelly said.

“The mistake was made in the past when a city council put in a provision like that, that became a choke hold on future councils and we stood up to that change. Sure we hate to spend that money, but it’s not a waste. It’s in accordance with our charter.”

In early June, within days of being elected, Council Members Ballanfant and Reilly visited Ross and asked for his resignation. A swarm of support then rallied for Ross at council meetings, as the city moved forward and hired legal counsel to negotiate the terms of his separation.

Ross' dismissal was effective immediately. Assistant City Manager Chris Peifer was appointed interim manager while the city hires a search firm to find a replacement for Ross. Pfiefer is allowed to apply for the position.